Colts Retain GM Ballard, Head Coach Steichen for 2026 Season

(INDIANAPOLIS) - The Indianapolis Colts will bring back general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen for the 2026 season, the team announced Sunday. The decision was made by team vice chair and owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon, who is in her first year as a tri-steward of the franchise. She is scheduled to address the media Monday. The announcement came after the Colts closed the season with a 38-30 loss to the Houston Texans, extending their losing streak to seven games. It marked only the third time in franchise history the team has lost its final seven contests. Ballard will enter his 10th season as general manager. Colts teams under his leadership have posted a combined 71-80-1 record and have missed the playoffs five straight seasons, the longest postseason drought for the franchise since 1988 through 1994. The Colts opened the season 8-2 and were in contention for the AFC South before injuries derailed the stretch run. Quarterback Daniel Jones played through a fractured left fibula before suffering a season-ending right Achilles injury in early December. According to ESPN Research, the Colts became the first team in the Super Bowl era to be six games over .500 at any point in a season and still finish with a losing record.